Matt's Weather Rapport is written by Vermont-based journalist and weather reporter Matt Sutkoski. This blog has a nationwide and worldwide focus, with particular interest in Vermont and the Northeast. Look to Matt's Weather Rapport for expert analysis of weather events, news, the latest on climate change science, fun stuff, and wild photos and videos of big weather events. Also check for my frequent quick weather updates on Twitter, @mattalltradesb

Tuesday, April 1, 2014

Yep, It Was Just About The Coldest March On Record In Vermont

You knew March was cold, and you were right.

No April Fool. This is a perennial bed between my deckand driveway in a photo taken this morning, April 1 inSt. Albans, Vermont. Often, at this time of yeara few tentative daffodil leaves are starting topoke up here. Not this year.

The news out of St. Johnsbury, Vermont this morning is they had the coldest March on record, in data that goes back 120 years.

The mean temperature for the month in St. Johnsbury was 18.9 degrees, decisively colder than the previous record chilly March, in 1900.

In Burlington, Vermont, it wasn't quite a record. The mean temperature in March, 2014 there was 22.1 degrees, which was almost nine degrees colder than normal.

This makes the month that just ended the fourth coldest March on record in Burlington.

I'm sure we'll get reports later today of other cities reporting their coldest March on record in 2014, or at least something close

In northern New England, temperatures will continue below normal for the first week of April, but not nearly as far below normal as it was in March. At least it doesn't look like we're on pace for a record cold April.

And a thaw has set it, the maple sap is running, and the next storm, due Friday night, looks as if it will be mostly rain, at least in the valleys.

1 comment:

My guess is the only reason Burlington didn't set a record too is because the urban heat island has changed things a lot since the 1800s. Also the lake may have retained some warmth despite freezing due to the last few cold years. Anyhow, here in Montpelier it was really cold.